This stage probably has the largest 'indie' contingent available to it. For those of you of a frailer disposition, there will be less moshing *at this stage. You're standing outside at the start of May. It's probably cloudy and possibly *raining. The last thing you want is to stand there listening to someone whining. *Essential Festival *has clearly aimed to bring a little soul to proceedings...

Steven Wells, of all people, described Matthew Jay as having a "nice tune" and "meaningful lyrics". It must be damn good then. Dare you to differ?

Simian do crazy stuff with their music. Do you like your music straight up? No frills? Piss off back to somewhere else. This is going to make you think, perish the thought.

Expect Ed Harcourt to croon. A lot. It is enjoyable; beautiful even. If you find a gap in your schedule, you can do a lot worse than standing in front of him.

America has received My Vitriol with open arms and they have responded by spending the last half-year trying to mix a record for them. Now they're back. After recently performing a stop-start MTV show, they'll be keen to whet their performances in preparation for their incoming tour. My Vitriol are not to be missed.

Who remember's seeing Shed 7 at Reading Festival a couple of summers ago? Surely a few of you will recall singing along to nearly all of the songs they performed! Surprise yourself by finding out just how many Shed 7 songs you really know.

The Beta Band will bring their massive sound to Bristol before taking it to Winchester for Homelands. Expect a little of that rawness and a little bit of that honesty and a little bit of variation.

Everybody knows that Supergrass have got what it takes to carry an entire festival on their _still _young, Oxfordshire-borne shoulders. Do not doubt them despite the lack of *activity *recently. They're already back and they haven't even played!!